UK water sector expertise showcased at Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference 2011

LOS ANGELES (October 18, 2011) – The United Kingdom's deep history and experience in the water sector is showcased this week through the presence of a delegation of British companies at the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC), the largest annual meeting of water sector professionals in North America.

The British companies – including UK Trade & Investment's delegation of nine organizations – exemplify the country's extensive expertise in the water industry, ranging from water resource management and engineering to water purification and treatment technologies and monitoring.

"The UK's holistic environmental initiatives and regulatory framework have cultivated an active business environment in Great Britain, spurring water companies to innovate and implement new technologies and approaches that can be applied to global water issues," said Michael Rosenfeld, UK Trade & Investment, Vice Consul – US Clean Technology Sector. "As the world collectively seeks answers to water scarcity and water quality issues, there is a strong recognition that the UK water sector is an important international partner providing solutions and resources to draw upon and collaborate with."

Great Britain – which is home to more than 500 companies and 80,000 employees in the water industry – has proven to be an important partner in supplementing the water sectors in the United States and Canada.

"The UK's deep experience in the water and environmental industries is a valuable supplement to the water sector in North America and has greatly enhanced the existing capabilities of Atkins North America for the planning, design and construction of water and wastewater systems," said Douglas Fredericks, Vice President, Water Infrastructure for UK-based Atkins, a leading international engineering and design consultancy. The company has provided its water engineering services throughout North America, such as the recent upgrade and expansion of the 300 million gallon per day Potomac Water Filtration Plant in Montgomery County, Maryland which services more than one million residents.

During WEFTEC, Mr. Fredericks will discuss a more economically and environmentally sustainable approach to wastewater treatment on a UK Trade & Investment panel discussion about the water industry's role in the world's shift to sustainably-focused economies.

"Atkins is pleased to join other British companies in Los Angeles this week to share the knowledge and insight gained from our country's extensive history in water management and environmental and infrastructure enhancement," said Fredericks.

The UK is developing new technologies and solutions for the water industry, many of which are implemented throughout North America. For example, Cheshire-based Multisensor Systems – a developer and supplier of online environmental monitoring instruments – has received an enthusiastic response from water treatment and wastewater customers in the Western US and Canada. The company has secured two trials sites in the US for its latest thrihalomethane monitor, an online tool designed to monitor and report the concentrations of carcinogenic substances in drinking water, which will be showcased at WEFTEC.

"The regulatory environment in North America, combined with the need to drive down cost and energy consumption in its water sector, makes the region an ideal platform for partnership with the UK's advanced technologies and experience in water management and treatment," said Brad Weaterton, CEO, Multisensor Systems.

British companies are also providing services to several notable water quality projects in North America. For example, Atkins worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers to develop and manage the $14 billion storm damage risk reduction program after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and Southern Louisiana.

Arup, a UK-based international design and engineering consultancy, is currently leading the engineering design of a vital new intake tunnel at Nevada's Lake Mead, the largest man-made reservoir in the US and a source of water for millions. The new tunnel will ensure water quality and supply amid declining lake levels caused by increasing drought in the Southwest US.

"As governments, companies and regulators in North America and the UK continue to address critical issues like water scarcity and conservation, the collaboration of technologies, education and standards will be key to evolving the water sectors of both regions," added Rosenfeld of UK Trade & Investment.

UK Trade & Investment – alongside its nine UK delegate organizations including Multisensor Systems – are located at booth #5337 West Hall during WEFTEC 2011. For more information contact Michael Rosenfeld, UK Trade & Investment, Vice Consul – USA Clean Technology Sector at (310) 420-0835 or mike.rosenfeld@uktradeinvestusa.com.

UK Trade & Investment will also be interacting from WEFTEC 2011 through its Twitter account @UKTI_cleantech.

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About UK Trade & Investment

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the British department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK's economy – acknowledged as Europe's best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information on UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7215 8000. For latest press releases, visit the online newsroom at www.ukti.gov.uk/media.

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